Medical conditions typically should not dictate what job opportunities people have or whether they can continue their employment. Even pregnancy, which often leads to drastic changes in health and personal lifestyle, has little bearing on an individual’s long-term ability to fulfill job functions.
Federal regulations and California state statutes protect pregnant workers from discrimination. They have the right to receive the same treatment as any other employee. In fact, they have the right to request certain accommodations from their employers.
In some cases, employers that try to appear supportive actually have no intention of fulfilling their obligations to pregnant employees. Particularly when women have complications during pregnancy, they might face mistreatment instead of supportive responses from their employers.
Pregnant women often need support to keep working
Pregnancy causes many drastic changes to the body. Internal organs soften and move. The center of gravity shifts. Certain smells could result in nausea or headaches. Women are at risk of complications including gestational diabetes and blood pressure challenges.
Most women continue to work throughout pregnancy. However, there may be limitations on what an employee can do during pregnancy, especially in the last trimester. Doctors may recommend light-duty work functions, lifting restrictions or even bed rest in more serious cases.
Most employers can accommodate a woman’s health needs during pregnancy, but some employers simply refuse to do so. They hope to force the pregnant woman from her position and replace her with someone else.
The denial of medically documented and necessary accommodations is a common form of pregnancy discrimination. Women facing discrimination on the job may need help holding their employers accountable for failing to acknowledge their protected medical status.